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The FORCES Courses
You asked. We answered.
Introducing The FORCES Courses:
The Synergy Academy is proud to offer an advanced series of courses instructed by Dr. Alexandra Porfir and Dr. Angie Tenholder.
FORCES One: October 1-3, 2026
FORCES Two: December 3-5, 2026
Combining decades of experience with the common language of ALF Therapy and Orthodontics
Dr. Alexandra Porfir has been a valued member of our ALF Therapy family for many years. She has graciously agreed to develop a course along with Dr. Angie Tenholder with the goal of guiding providers with options for orthodontic case finishing using the ALF Therapy principles. For more information about Dr. Porfir, click below.
To review her publication describing the benefit of vibrational forces on the quality of sutural bone growth, click on the following link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S8756328207005030
"Taken together, the present data suggest that high-frequency cyclic forces in either tension or compression induce modeling and growth changes in cranial sutures. Due to the structural complexity of cranial vault and facial sutures, either tensile or compressive forces likely are transmitted as shear stresses and upregulate genes and gene products responsible for sutural growth. "
Instructing on the principles and practices of ALF Therapy in the context of NeuroFunctional Dental Medicine from the perspective of both an orthodontic specialist and a general dentist with certifications in craniofacial pain and craniofacial dental sleep medicine
Offering the best of both worlds while focusing on a common language.
Transforming Lives Through Health
Alexandra Porfir DMD, MS
Dr. Alexandra Porfir has her Masters Degree in orthodontics/dentofacial orthopedics. She is a published author and researcher.
Angie Tenholder DMD, FAACP, DABCDSM, FAGD
Dr. Angie Tenholder has acheived Fellowship status in the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and the Academy of General Dentistry as well as Board certification in the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. .
Transforming Lives Through Health
Forces One
Orthodontic Case Finishing
Course Objectives
- Understanding both traditional structural and neurofunctional assessments to support proper diagnosis, documentation, appliance designs, treatment
- The benefits of the concurrent utilization of maxillary lingual mechanics through the use of the ALF family of appliances in conjunction with cranially friendly orthodontic mechanics and auxillaries customized to direct individualized tooth movement
- The proper use of self-ligating brackets to support deep bite correction with the benefit of ALF based mechanics to support bite opening
- DIscussion on limitations of both traditional and neurofunctional models of care as well as indicationsl for appropriate referral
- Recommendations on using neurofunctional assessments and metrics to determine whether or not a patient has the functional capacity to either endure or recover from rigid orthodontic approaches (RPE, AGGA, MARPE, etc)
Forces Two
Neurofunctional Orthotic Implementation
Course Objectives
- Patient assessments and diagnostic recommendations for the complex adult to help determine appliance design and treatment sequencing
- Addressing the complex needs of the patient suffering from TMJD with th goal of adddressing both the gentle mobilization of the temporal bone with ALF Therapy with the power of positioning the mandible throguh appliance therapy and sleep disordered breathing in a dimension of prevention as well as with symptom management
- Recommendations on using neurofunctional assessments and metrics to determine whether or not a patient has the functional capacity to either endure or recover from rigid orthodontic approaches (RPE, AGGA, MARPE, etc)
- The proper use of self-ligating brackets to support deep bite correction with the benefit of ALF based mechanics to support bite opening in the treatment of complex patient cases involving patients suffering from from craniofacial pain and sleep disordered breathing
- Tips to convert a traditional mandibular advancement device to a cranially friendly, neurofunctional appliance
- The utilization of the ALF-NLA/NINJA devices as a stand-alone therapy or as a complementary compinent to a more complex treatment plan
- Taking a deep dive into the neurophysiology of sleep and how trigeminal as well as vagal neuromodulation is possible throguh dental appliance and laser-assisted therapies
About The Synergy Academy
Our Mission
At The Synergy Academy, we are dedicated to providing high-quality educational services. Our mission is to improve the well-being of our communities by empowering their health care provider teams.